Manchester United keeper Ben Foster has effectively given up on playing for the club this season as he recovers from a serious knee injury.

Foster is yet to make his competitive debut for United but earned an England cap in February after impressing during a two-year loan at Watford.

"It's going to be early February before I can start training and March before I can play," he told Man Utd Radio.

"The reserves or a loan spell somewhere would let me kick on next season."

The 24-year-old had been tipped to challenge United's first-choice keeper, Ed van der Sar, after returning from his time with Watford.

But a ruptured cruciate knee ligament in May destroyed his hopes.

"When you can't do what you're paid to do it's massively frustrating," he added.

"I've been spending a lot of time in the gym. I've been on the exercise bike, the cross-trainer, the treadmill, machines that aren't going to put too much pressure on my knee but will help me to keep my stamina up."

You can't expect to be picked for England if you are not in your club team

Manchester United keeper Ben Foster

Foster won his only England cap in the friendly against Spain earlier this year, but he is concentrating on regaining fitness before thinking about adding to his total.

"First things first - I have to force my way in at United," he said.

"You can't expect to be picked for England if you are not in your club team.

"I had a lot of expectation for what this season was going to hold for me. It is so disappointing when you are told you are going to be out for eight months.

"All you can do is let it seep into your head, then knuckle down to some hard work."